When thinking about the types of perks to offer employees, leaders tend to consider things like benefits, wellness perks, fluffy couches, ping pong tables, etc. However, a recent survey from Future Workplace on employee experiences has revealed a perk that might surprise most employers.
“Perks are expected today, like summer hours, free food, swag like shirts and toys! More vacation time and sick time, plus better benefits! It’s a candidate driven market!” says Sharon Tsao, CMO, Contemporary Staffing Solutions.
Let The Sun Shine In
According to the poll, the number one office perk employees want is not a nap pod or onsite yoga classes – it’s access to natural light and a view of the outdoors. That perk outranked cafeterias, fitness centers and even onsite child care as the number one thing employees want in their daily work lives.
Digging a little deeper:
- 1/3 of employees say they don’t get enough natural light at work
- 47% say they feel tired from a lack of natural light
- 43% say their mood is impacted by a lack of natural light
So, just what is so important about natural light that it has become the number one perk people want from a job? Sunlight is inherently tied to our mood and well-being. A recent research study found that natural light in an office setting improves workers’ health and wellness. Workers in daylight environments have over 50% less eye strain, 60% fewer headaches and a 56% reduction in drowsiness.
Worker Bees Rarely See the Light
All too often, companies design workspaces wherein executives and upper-level management have access to large windows, but lower-level employees do not. This is especially true for customer service teams who often work in warehouse-like settings and administrative support professionals who often work in the center of the office floor, while managers take the outside spaces with windows.
It might be impossible to knock down walls and add windows to your workspace, but you can give your team more access to natural light throughout the day. Try to encourage employees to step outside during their break times to absorb some vitamin D, or create lounge-style areas near common windows and allow employees to take breaks, hold team meetings, or even eat meals in that area.
If you are looking for more tips for engaging your call center or office employees, or if you are looking to hire and retain talented professionals for your center, the expert call center and office recruiters at Contemporary Staffing Solutions are ready to help. Contact CSS today to learn how more about the ways we can find you the best and brightest.
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Contemporary Staffing connects job seekers to hiring managers nationally in the following professions: Accounting & Finance, Call Center & Office, Human Resources, IT, Salesforce, and Sales & Marketing.
Originally posted October 30, 2018